The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-07-21
SAINT LOUIS.
THE president NOT TO VISIT
THE WESTERN METROP-
OILS.
His Reasons Therefor Unhecom-
ing Expressions Of Grand Army
Men-Other News by Wire.

Men-Other News by Wire
Sr. LoUI5, July 7.-Mayor Francis
has received the following letter from
President Cleveland, declining to
visit St. Louis and giving the reasons
, therefor:
EXECUTIVE MANSON, }
WAsHINGToN, d. G.. July 4, 1887. !
10 Hc W0n. DGqIIR Francis, Mayer
amt Chairman
My Dear Sir: When | received
the extremely cordial and gratifying
invitation from the citizens OF St.
Louis rendered by a number of her
representative men to visit that city
during the national enCampment Of
the Grand Army of the Republic, |
had been contemplating for some time
the acceptance Of an invitation from
that organization to the same effect
and had considered the pleasure it
would afford me if it should be posi-
Die to meet not only the members of
the Grand Army of the Republic but
the people Of St. Louis and other cities
in the West which tie occasion would
give nc the opportunity to visit. The
eXactions OF my public duties | feel
to be 50 uncertain, however, that when
first confronted by the delegation of
which YOU were the head, | expected
to do 40 more at that time than to
promise consideration of the double
invitation rendered ne, and express
the pleasure it would give me to ac-
cept the same thcreatterwards if pos
ibIe. But the cordiality and sincerity of
OF your presentation, reinforced by
the heartincss OF the good people who
surrounded you, SO impressed me that
could not resist the feeling which
prompted me to assure you on the
spot that [ would be with you and
the Grand Army OF the Republic at
the time designated if nothing hap
pcncd in the meantime to absolutely
prevent my leaving Washington. In
medjately upon the public announce
mcnt Of this conclusion expressions
cmanating from certain important
members OF the Grand Army of the
Republic and increasing in volume
and virulence, constrained me to re
view my acceptance Of these invita-
tons. The expressions referred to so
to the extent Of declaring that | would
he ali unwelComc guest at the time
and place of the national cncamp-
ment. This statement is based, as
well as | can Judge, upon certain Of
fetal acts of mine, involving important
public interests and done under the
restraints and Obligations of my oath
of office, which do not appear to &C
cord with the wishes of some mem
bers of the Grand Army Of the Re
public. | refuse to believe thai this
organization, founded upon patriotic
ideas, composed very largely of men
entitled to lasting honor and consid-
Grafton and whose Crowning glory it
should be that they are American cit
izens as we'll as soldiers, deems it part
of Its mission to compass any object
or purpose by attempting to lntimi-
date the executive or COerCe those
charged with making and executing
the laws, and yet the expressions to
which | have referred indicate such
prevalence Of untriendly feeling and
such menace to an occasion which
should be harmonious, peaceful and
cordial, that they cannot be ignored.
beg you to understand that | am
not conscious of any act of NINE
which should make me fear to meet
the G.. y. X. or any other assemblage
Of my fellow-Citizens. The account
of my official stewardship is always
ready for presentation to my country
men. | should not be frank if |
failed to confess, while disclaiming all
resentment, that | have been hurt by
the unworthy and wanton attacks
upon me growing out of this matter,
and the reckless manner in which my
actions and motives have been mis-
represented, both publicly and pri-
vately, for which, however, the Grand
Army OF the Republic, as a body, is
by no means responsible.
The threats of personal violence
and harm in case | undertake the trip
III question, which scores of misguided,
unbalanced men, under the stimula-
ton of excited feeling, have made,
are not even considered. Rather than
abandon my visit TO the west and dis
appoint your citizens might if alone
were concerned submit to the insult
to which, it is quite openly asserted, |
would be helplessly subjected if pres
ent at the encampment, but l should
bear with me there the peoples high
est office, the dignity of which I must
protect, and | believe that neither the
Grand Army of the Republic as an
organization nor anything like ma
jority Of its members would ever en-
courage any sCaldalous attack upon
it. If, however, among the member